US court win for Aussie 'Robin Hood'

The bizarre case of accused Robin Hood-style Australian bank robber Corey Donaldson has taken another surprising turn.

Donaldson, 39, a former self-help guru originally from Melbourne, has convinced a judge in Wyoming he does not need a lawyer and can represent himself at his April 29 trial.

"Following a colloquy between the court and the defendant during which the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation were discussed, the court concludes that the defendant is competent, literate and intelligent," US District Court judge Alan B Johnson said.

"The court finds that the defendant, Corey Allan Donaldson, has knowingly and voluntarily waived the right to counsel and is committed in his determination to represent himself."

Donaldson is accused of walking into a bank in Wyoming's famed ski resort town of Jackson Hole on New Year's Eve, telling a story to the bank's manager about Mexican drug cartels and Vietnam veterans, and then passing over a note warning the bank would be blown up by "four military grade explosives" if $US2 million ($A1.94 million) was not handed over.

When Donaldson was arrested in Utah on January 23 he only had $US16,000 and in a jailhouse interview with the Jackson Hole News & Guide newspaper, Donaldson was quoted as saying he travelled America's west handing out the cash to people living in shelters and on the streets, as well as charitable organisations.

Authorities confirmed this.

Donaldson has entered a not guilty plea to the armed robbery charge and has been refused bail.

Donaldson wrote self-help books published by a subsidiary of Random House and owned the relationship consulting business www.diagnosemywife.com.